[Article] Reset Failure Windows 10/11 (2023)

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📌 Note: This article was originally created by Greg Carmack Windows MVP 2010-20 (ret'd), a valued member on Answers Support Community. It provided meaningful insights and proved helpful to many. We're recreating it here on their behalf to preserve its value and ensure continued access for others.

We see failed Resets regularly, due to the onboard installation files becoming corrupted, or keeping the same account which may be corrupted and won't load. The solution is to provide a fresh set of the latest installation files, which only happens if it offers the Cloud option or you use bootable media, and choose to Save Nothing so it sets up a new account.

Follow these steps which will always work even if you have to do them all. If you have files that aren't backed up skip to Step 7 after creating and booting the media to try to rescue them:

1. Go to another PC to create bootable media to access Repair Mode to do a Reset, or if it fails again do the gold standard Clean install. The bootable media doesn't require a password, has it's own drivers, repair and installation files which often work when Windows or the other Repair Mode doesn't.

To create Windows 10 installation media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the steps toward the bottom of the download page here in the section "Using the tool to create installation media:" https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/software-download/windows10?d2784474-fdb0-4e9d-9e47-5e88c0e053ec=True

To create Windows 11 installation Media Creation Tool following the steps under the section "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" by expanding the + sign next to "Before you start" https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/Windows11

Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

2. Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutorials/23010-bios-boot-menu-f-keys-hotkeys-system-manufacturer-oem.html If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.
3. Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Troubleshoot Options to try a Reset. Do a deep clean Reset saving nothing, choosing also the Cloud option to get fresh installation files downloaded.
4. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here:

Windows 10: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-windows_install/clean-reinstall-windows-10-upgradefactory-oem/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587

Windows 11: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-do-clean-install-windows-11

5. Make sure during the booted install to unplug all other drives, boot the media as a UEFI Device, choose Custom Install, delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, choose the Unallocated Space, click Next to auto-create and -format the needed partitions and begin install - this makes it foolproof.
6. After install expedite all Windows Updates including Optional until no more are offered. Then import any drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page for your model that are newer, or branded instead of generic. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is how to keep the latest manufacturer's drivers current. Windows drivers are rarely enough.
7. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files first using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-update/rescue-files-when-windows-wont-start/862c143f-9239-4e63-8968-635e8ba9efd6 But if the reset has failed the files may be scrambled, check all directories and also for a C:\windows.old folder where Windows may have tried to back them up before it failed.

If you were referred here from another thread, please post back results in that thread. Otherwise you can ask questions and share information in the Comments section below, including any broken links.

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